Yuan Meng means "the realization of a dream" in Chinese. Since its birth, the number of visitors to the French zoo has increased remarkably.

This photo taken on July 24, 2023 shows the giant panda Yuan Meng at Beauval Zoo in Saint-Aignan, France.(Photo/Gao Jing, Xinhua)

Paris - As Yuan Meng, the first giant panda born in France in 2017, is due to return to China on Tuesday, many people in recent days went to Beauval Zoo in Saint-Aignan, central France, to bid farewell to this adorable animal.

People watch the giant panda Yuan Meng at Beauval Zoo in Saint-Aignan, France, on July 24, 2023.(Photo/Gao Jing, Xinhua)

Yuan Meng means "the realization of a dream" in Chinese. Yuan Meng's parents, Huan Huan, which means "happy" in Chinese, and Yuan Zi, arrived in France in 2012 at the age of three on a 10-year loan from China.

In 2017, Huan Huan gave birth to twin cubs, the first cub died shortly after its birth and the second one was named Yuan Meng.

People watch the giant panda Yuan Meng at Beauval Zoo in Saint-Aignan, France, on July 24, 2023.(Photo/Gao Jing, Xinhua)

This photo taken on July 24, 2023 shows the giant panda Yuan Meng at Beauval Zoo in Saint-Aignan, France.(Photo/Gao Jing, Xinhua)

Since the arrival of Huan Huan and Yuan Zi, the number of visitors to the Beauval Zoo had doubled. According to the zoo, the number of visitors reached 1.5 million in 2017. In 2018, the number was even more because many people wanted to see more of Yuan Meng.

This photo taken on July 24, 2023 shows the giant panda Yuan Meng at Beauval Zoo in Saint-Aignan, France.(Photo/Gao Jing, Xinhua)

This photo taken on July 24, 2023 shows the giant panda Yuan Meng at Beauval Zoo in Saint-Aignan, France.(Photo/Gao Jing, Xinhua)